Kart Racer parents guide

Kart Racer Parent Guide

This inspiring portrayal of father and son relationships depicts the way both generations may discover their answers in each other's lives.

Overall A-

Still grieving over the death of his wife, Vic Davis (Randy Quaid), a former champion Kart Racer, shuts out his son Watts (Will Rothhaar) until the two begin fine-tune their relationship by working together to enter a racing competition.

Release date September 25, 2003

Violence B
Sexual Content B+
Profanity A-
Substance Use A-

Why is Kart Racer rated PG? The MPAA rated Kart Racer PG for thematic elements and mild language.

Run Time: 94 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Most young boys (and young girls) can’t wait to get behind the wheel of anything with an engine. I’ll never forget the time I visited a friend’s farm and he showed me his beat up go-kart stored in the barn. Suddenly our friendship shifted gears, and I was more interested in the go-kart than poor Robert.

Such is the fascination of Watts Davies (Will Rothhaar), a picked-on boy who dreams of being a winning kart driver. But “Light Bulb” (as he has been knick-named by his enemies) has more than his fair share of reasons to keep his aspiration’s tires flat.

His mechanic father Vic (Randy Quaid), once a champion kart racer, has become reclusive since the untimely death of Watt’s mother to cancer. With little family support, the young man has taken the opportunity to get into trouble, usually while riding his roughed up go-kart. The day he races his personal bully Rodney Wells (Joe Dinicol), his sidewalk antics manage to cause community chaos including ripping the dress off a blushing bride and landing his machine in a swimming pool.

Thanks to frequent brushes with the law, the boy who seems destined to be labeled the town’s troublemaker begins to build a solid relationship with Deputy Jenna West (Jennifer Wigmore). The caring officer seems to understand what the boy really needs, and encourages him to enter the big International Karting Federation’s (I.K.F.—a real organization) regional championships, which happens to be coming to his small city.

Sounds good, but how will he get a worthy kart? The shiny new model in a local shop is $4,000 and his feeble attempt to raise money is thwarted by yet another attack from his nemesis, Wells. The ensuing scuffle, and subsequent visit to the police station, draws his grieving parent into the situation. Vic is suddenly faced with the reality that his inability to cope with the loss of his spouse may cause him to lose his son too.

Created by Knightscove Entertainment (a small Canadian production company specializing in family movies), Kart Racer is a compelling drama you can take the entire family to. With little language concerns, a teen kiss and some bullying, the only pause I had as a parent was with a young female character delighting in spraying artistic graffiti around the community. This type of vandalism is prevalent in too many cities, and it would have been nice to see some consequences included for her actions.

Lightening from a dark and dreary beginning to an inspiring portrayal of father and son relationships, this film depicts both generations discovering their answers in each other’s lives. And like the experiences it shows, this film is best shared with parent and child sitting in adjoining seats. Besides the bonus of increasing family bonds, adult viewers will also enjoy the last third of the film that features an incredibly shot kart racing sequence sure to prevent anyone—whether young or old—from falling asleep at the wheel.

Directed by Stuart Gillard. Starring Randy Quaid, Will Rothhaar, Jennifer Wigmore. Running time: 94 minutes. Theatrical release September 25, 2003. Updated

Kart Racer Parents' Guide

Vic and Watts’ mutual love for mechanics and kart racing allowed them to build their love for each other. What activities do parents and children share in your family? How can hobbies, sports, or other endeavors help to build a relationship?

Deputy Jenna West is portrayed as a caring police officer. How was Jenna still able to protect her community while at the same time improving Watts’ life? How does this character differ from police portrayals in other movies? How can negative stereotypes of authority figures influence our impressions of these people?

Want to know more about kart racing? Check the I.K.F. website:www.ikfkarting.com

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Kart Racer movie is May 10, 2005. Here are some details…


With its limited theatrical release, there is a good chance you never got to see Kart Racer. The movie is now available on DVD, and even though it offers no additional bonus features, there is no excuse to let this family film pass you by.

Related home video titles:

Building family relationships is the focus of other films, such as the horseracing story of Virginia’s Run (also produced by Knightscove Entertainment). In an effort to gain the love of her grandfather, a young Maori girl embraces the heritage he hold so dear in Whale Rider. A father and son struggle to find common ground after the boy’s passion for building rockets comes between them in the movie October Sky.

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